Tancrede Melet, 32, a slackliner, BASE jumper and wingsuiter, fell more than 50ft to his death while getting ready to perform the risky stunt in Drome, southern France on Tuesday.

He was taking part in an artistic project at the time and was preparing for lift off when tragedy struck. “He was on the ground holding the hot air balloon... when the craft suddenly whisked him into the air and took off,” wrote Dauphiné Libéré, the local newspaper.

He then fell 20 metres (65 feet) to the ground.

Mr Melet was well known in the extreme sports world and had featured in adverts and videos, as well as in live shows and lectures.

Tancrede Melet Photo: Caters

Born in Meurthe-et-Moselle, eastern France, he grew up in Herault, in the South, but had discovered the joys of the mountains in the Verdon – the type of landscape in which he performed most of his stunts, particularly over the Mont Blanc massif.

Part of a group of daredevils known as the Flying Frenchies, also known as the Skyliners, he was famous for his death-defying tightrope walks performed all over the world from mountain peaks to skyscrapers.

Tancrede Melet Photo: Caters

According to his profile on the group’s website, Mr Melet resigned from his engineering job to follow his “quest for freedom” four years ago.

“His motto is to try everything, at least once. He likes to think outside the box, and mixes his various skills to create aesthetic results,” the profile reads.

A spokesman said: “Tancrede Melet, a surprising lover of life, surprised us by leaving us too soon.

Tancrede Melet Photo: Caters

“'He leaves behind wonderful memories, a taste of freedom and a head full of dreams,” he said on the group’s Facebook page.

Admirers and peers paid numerous online tributes.

Tancrede Melet Photo: Caters

One, Pascal Cornuez wrote: “Farewell my friend and thank you for giving us dreams! Peace to your soul and your heart continues to fly, high above, as always.”

Guy Chaumereuil, head of the Montanea association that recently invited Mr Melet as a guest during an open day in Chambery, told Le Dauphiné Libéré: “He talked about risk, without which life doesn’t exist really. We found him sincere, focused and precise – almost shy but a great listener who was attentive to the public and generous.”

Mr Melet leaves behind his partner, Tiphaine Breillot, and a young daughter.